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Ogando holds Brewers in check in blowout win

Baker, Pierzynski each drive two as Rangers chase starter Rogers early

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By T.R. Sullivan
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MLB.com |

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Alexi Ogando, continuing to overcome a slow start to the spring, pitched four scoreless innings in a 12-3 victory over the Brewers at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday. Ogando beat Brewers starter Mark Rogers, who continues to struggle to win a spot in the rotation.

Ogando allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out three. He has allowed just one earned run in his last nine innings, lowering his Cactus League ERA to 3.48, while opponents are hitting .250 off him.

"I've been working on getting better command of my fastball and slider," Ogando said. "That's what I tried to do today on the mound and I thought it was working."

Rogers gave up two runs in the first inning and four in the second, though three of the runs he was charged with were unearned. He allowed three hits and walked four before leaving with one out in the second. He has a 7.50 ERA and he has walked 10 in 6 1/3 innings.

Jeff Baker, who started at third base for the Rangers, went 2-for-2 with a homer a walk and two RBIs, giving him a seven-game hitting streak and a .529 spring batting average. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski drove in two runs with a pair of sacrifice flies.

Kyle McClellan made his first appearance for the Rangers in a Cactus League game and pitched two scoreless innings, walking just one. Tom Gorzelanny, who signed a two-year deal with the Brewers in the offseason, allowed two runs in his two innings.

Sean Halton got Milwaukee on the board in the ninth with a three-run double to make it 12-3.

Up next: The Rangers are off on Wednesday before playing the Athletics on Thursday in Phoenix at 3:05 p.m. CT in an exclusive audio webcast on texasrangers.com. Randy Wells will start for Texas as he tries to win a rotation spot. Left-handed bullpen candidates Nate Robertson and Jeff Beliveau are also scheduled to pitch.